Cadets are being welcomed to a weekend of engineering workshops by run by 160 Field Company of the 105 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).

The offer of a special experience is open to members of the Sea Cadet Corps (SCC), Army Cadet Force (ACF) and RAF Air Cadets who are being encouraged to get involved.

Sergeant Joe Rouse, 105 BN REME, 160 Field Company, who runs the activities, said: “Our Cadet Maintenance Weekend can help Cadets, instructors and volunteers gain an understanding of the transferable skills that can be used in their civilian lives.

“The activities have a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) theme and include changing vehicle parts and building a working hovercraft out of polystyrene. This is an excellent opportunity to learn new skills that will boost Cadets as individuals and as members of a team.”

The Corps of REME have a long standing history of being at the forefront of engineering for the Army and industry as a whole since their formation in 1942.

As the Army’s professional engineers, they’re tasked with the maintenance, recovery, repair and manufacture that keeps battle winning equipment in working order.

Since then, they have continued to have an influential role in engineering, which included Major Ivan Hurst (REME) helping to form the Volkswagen brand as it’s known today and working with Bloodhound to build the world-record fastest car.

Engineering has been put in the spotlight in 2018 as the government has launched a pioneering campaign to inspire the next generation. ‘The Year of the Engineer’ aims to tackle a major skills gap and boost numbers entering the profession.

Industry experts and businesses aim to change perceptions around engineering and highlight the scale of opportunity that careers can hold for young people in Wales and the United Kingdom.

Over 300 primary school pupils were joined by a team of RAF personnel at the National Museum in Cardiff who helped them to build rocket cars, try computer coding, make a parachute to safely land an egg and take part in a hot air balloon challenge.